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Do SA need a Director of Rugby?

2008-08-29 08:00

Rob Houwing

It is a relatively modern - and supposedly also futuristic-thinking - trend for certain rugby nations to favour the creation of a 'Director of Rugby' post... usually a respected former Test-player-turned-suit who oversees critical playing and other matters and also has jurisdiction over the national coach.

In England, for example, Martin Johnson is the new "manager" of the national side and reports to the established director, Rob Andrew.

The issue has been mooted in South Africa for some time and, in fact, a few franchises already have the concept well installed: Allister Coetzee, for example, is Western Province coach in the Currie Cup with Rassie Erasmus in the more elevated position. Nick Mallett held a similar, lofty position at Newlands during the coaching tenure of Kobus van der Merwe.

The jury is out on whether it works in the Cape, of course, because Province have not exactly been setting the premier domestic competition alight - sometimes it is feared that a director can make life rather difficult and "compromised" for the supposed coach.

On a Springbok level, the matter is inevitably back in the spotlight again with the national team suddenly very light on Tri-Nations wins under the coaching charge of Peter de Villiers.

It may increase calls for a director to be appointed, and it is interesting that a certain Jake White appears to be rumbling gradually back from the relative rugby wilderness after overseeing the Boks' Rugby World Cup triumph last year.

Would he be an asset, maybe, as SA director of rugby? Or are his best skills reserved for the track suit? Who else might have the credentials? Would such a post be to the benefit of embattled De Villiers?

We want to know your views!

  • Your thoughts?

    Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.

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    • Comments have been closed for this article.

    Gavin 8/29/2008 8:10:46 AM
    Before being able to comment on this, the first thing that would be required is a very clean terms of reference for this post. Creating a post merely because the national team is struggling would be a mistake. This has to be a holistic post and approach - which addresses rugby, funding, coaching practices and development throughout the country - without political interference.
    Jan Nel 8/29/2008 8:31:03 AM
    We had someone who could do the job to perfection (Word Cup victory). Appointed someone else who could not do the job. Now we want to appoint an additional person to oversee that the first one is doing his job. Makes great sense doesn't it?
    Ralph 8/29/2008 8:31:16 AM
    Without any doudt we should have a Director of Rugby. Unfortunately the best man for the job is currently in the UK.
    Gerhard 8/29/2008 8:36:01 AM
    We desperately need somebody to save the situation that Springbok rugby finds itself in now. Call him what you like, director, manager, leader, whatever. Somebody MUST stop this baboon De Villiers before he completely destroys SA Rugby. Jake White is just the person to do so. His rugby knowledge is the best in the world. It is just sad that the powers at the helm of SA Rugby have not got the balls to admit that they made a huge mistake. Keep politics out of sport!
    Matrix 8/29/2008 8:40:35 AM
    More money from sport enthusiasts to pay for another post in political charged Rugby board. More expensive Rugby tickets. More threats from SARU to exclude specific venues if supporters dont support games at these venues. Less money for the rugby players. Eish what a @$%$#up. When will they ever put competency before politics?
    Willie 8/29/2008 8:40:56 AM
    Lets be honest here, Jake White won coach of the year twice, he is respected by all the big rugby nations, what would be the harm to have him in our camp as opose to another country using his skill?
    Buck Rogers 8/29/2008 8:44:40 AM
    Im not sure what the role of a director will be, what i do know is that they need jake White regardless..........
    sandile 8/29/2008 9:02:39 AM
    Peter de Villiers needs all the assistance he can get. The man has shown he knows little to nothing about coaching at this level. He could make the best team in the world look ordinary (oh he has). Jake for the Job.
    LM 01 8/29/2008 9:06:08 AM
    If JW or HM was coach I would say no. But with Div there I would say yes, like most EE appointments another person needs to be appointed to actually do the job.
    colin 8/29/2008 9:08:41 AM
    We have had a very poor Tri Nations tournament this year and it is evident that a certain section of our rugby public wants to put 100% of the blame on PDV ? the fact is that many of our key players have not performed to there maximum ability and there poor performance can not be only attributable to the new game plan of PDV. Players have not given 100% and we can see this in the body language of players like Butch James who looks to me like he has no pride when he wears the green and gold. PDV will need to make some changes for the end of year tour and give players like Butch Fourie du Preez Matfield and others ultimatums ? the inclusion of new young blood will probably put the fire back into the bok team. Some of the players in the current squad have lost the fire to be part of the Bok team and the need to be dropped.
    sharks fan 8/29/2008 9:10:10 AM
    I agree with Gerhard. Jake is by far the best man for the position.
    Dean 8/29/2008 9:14:51 AM
    Allan Zondagh has put his hat in the ring. Great news.
    Hansie 8/29/2008 9:24:23 AM
    Jake White seems very keen for this position, but what will the job description be? PDV will NEVER, EVER report to JW. In fact, I don't think JW will be allowed to come close to a training field. What's the use of him applying for this position then? He should still be the coach.
    Sbo 8/29/2008 9:26:49 AM
    what is SA Rugby doing? they didn't appoint Heineke Meyer as a coach thou he was a great candidate and promised him a post of Director of rugby but they fought with now they appointed coach does not do well they this of Jake and creation of a post, in the first instance why they let Jake to leave please let the SA rugby free coz you are causing havoc on this Rugby............ JAKE WHITE SHUOLD COME AS A COACH OF SA AND HEINEKE MEYER BE HIS ASSISTANT Sbo...... Alice, Eastern Cape
    Met Uysh! 8/29/2008 9:28:43 AM
    A director of reugby would just be another scapegoat for a poor performing coach. Let him do his job right before getting in more bosses.
    Dean 8/29/2008 9:28:59 AM
    It pains me to say this but I think the Director position be another political one. The best (and most needed man) will not get the job... Quick question , the players arent adapting to the new laws with the NEW GAME PLAN , by the time they get to the Europe tour they will have to revert back to the old laws, lets see the confussion then...
    shiner 8/29/2008 9:33:18 AM
    Jakes record speak for itself. Except for his first tri-nations, his try nations record is nothing to be proud about.In fact, his head was on the block shortly before the world cup ( where we never played any of the tri-nation teams). We won the WC, and suddenly he became the perfect coach again.
    SJ KOSTER 8/29/2008 9:53:43 AM
    It is by far the best "news" I have heard this year in SA Rugby. Perhaps Jake can help PDV in coaching an SA team as PDV does not have an idea on how to coach at international level. Lets be honest we need all the help we can get. Even better can anybody sent PDV a copy of "Rugby for Dummies". when we where beating Wales and Italy a lot of people said yes you go snor, beating those teams wasn't the influence of PDV it was still Jakes influence that was carried over.
    colin 8/29/2008 9:54:16 AM
    Jakes record against the All Blacks was only 33.3% - what is all the fuss about. To Be the best you need to win against the best and Jake have not done this often enough to be labeled the best coach in SA history - Nick Mallet had a record of 57% wins against the All Black and according to me Jake used the media to his own advantage to build an image and fooled most of the rugby public.
    Burn 8/29/2008 9:59:13 AM
    Jake White is defnitly the man!! Peter de Villiers is an idiot who doesnt know what he is doing, blowing bubbles every time he opens his mouth. Look at all the World Cup winning stars in the team and u can see the unhappiness in their faces. Compare that to 2004 when Jake brought them all together and just started off!! People who argue that a Tri-nations and World Cup winning coach is not of any value, should rather just be quiet.
    angus 8/29/2008 10:09:35 AM
    Jake White is the same man who wrote a book and talked crap about the same rugby union that now want to hire him and give him a senior position. The same person who has no clue when it comes to the ELV's, the same guy who will and could never beat the All Blacks. Shame rock bottom is not far far away.
    Truthfully 8/29/2008 10:10:05 AM
    We definitely need a director to run SA rugby as the current imcumdents are not capable. Being the Turd world country that we are, it is merely a way of hiring a coach to coach the current blundered appointment, is this not what has occurred in all SA facets of business so why not Rugby? We have the funds to waste and taking recent National sporting codes into consideration, losing is what we do best.
    Benzo Broodryk 8/29/2008 10:14:26 AM
    Jake has everything in his favour (hard results, World Cup) and only one thing against him: his proven track record of MERIT. De Villiers has everything against him (no management and leadership skills, apalling results) and only one thing for him (guess what... this is the 'new' SA, where merit is replaced by unquantifiable 'potential' and race quota). Jake, you did SA and the world proud: the rugby fraternity worldwide recognizes that you ARE THE GREATEST! (Too bad your name says it all...)
    Marcel 8/29/2008 10:15:55 AM
    What would this person's role be? Are we doing this just because we've had a poor Tri-nations? If that's the case then I say no way, we've had far worse performances and teams than the current one and we didn't need this position then. If it's looking at SA rugby as a whole then cool, and Jake would be a good candidate.
    Lucy 8/29/2008 10:17:12 AM
    That is the most ridiculous way of looking at the matter of Jake White being the Director of Rugby... just comparing the All Black Games. Nick Mallet was pathetic. Seems you follow in his footsteps. Lucy
    Vic 8/29/2008 10:28:40 AM
    I honestly think that PDV does not understand the mental approach to rugby. Statements like (quote)"winning and losing is the same for me..." is absolutely ridiculous. This is the man that must MOTIVATE 15 players to go and win a match..! He is out of his league and he is making a mockery with his absurd statements and post match comments! Eddie Jones needs to come and rescue us !!
    Shaun 8/29/2008 10:34:56 AM
    I somewhat agree with Colin some of the players arent looking as good as they used to be and i think it has to do with this new game plan. However surely the coach can see that his players aren't adapting as quickly and change to the style they excel at? and slowly bring in this expansive playing? personally i think that changing things slowly would be more beneficial to our playing and players
    Manny 8/29/2008 10:37:37 AM
    We need a Direct I agree with colin, our experienced players have not been performing and the coach has to take part of the blame, out of 55 tri-nations test played , we only won 36% in ten years. Where was the EE / AA then. Remember in the RWC it was only when Eddie Jones came in to assist the back line that the Boks started playing really well. Lastly on all the racist comments from guys like LMO1 , its no wonder that a lot black people still support the All Blacks because of people like you.
    Cornel 8/29/2008 10:42:00 AM
    The PeeDeVee circus is getting out of hand, and now that SARU has egg on their faces (and no Heineke to recall), we need Jake to come and rescue us. As director he will have the power to influence this idiot and get the team winning again.
    Jake 8/29/2008 10:54:03 AM
    Jake is making wine, let him do that. Concentrate on the new not the past, pathetic to see when one looses how quick his own country is to push him aside before giving another chance. And Peter is not on the field playing its his players.
    Derick 8/29/2008 10:56:21 AM
    We had the best coach in the world Jake BUT due to Political interferance from Government he was not even re considdered to stay on. Now the new monkey want to change the style of play in one season. All rugby nations are critisizing him for that but he refuses as the rest of the SA politicians to acknowlege it as a mistake. He will have to accept the cosequinces of continious defeat. The answer - Get back to the basics and control the ball. Without it you can do nothing.
    Jeremy 8/29/2008 10:58:00 AM
    What the South African public should do until this mess is sorted is stay away from games - let SA Rugby feel it where it hurts most - in the pocket. Soon Sasol will be demanding change?
    Get Real 8/29/2008 11:08:53 AM
    To date the national team has performed well without the position, untill a political appointment for coach was made. I have seen it so many times before in the business world as well, a politically correct appointment is made for a management position, then additional postions are created to "assist" Sometimes it works sometimes it does not. The success at the end of the day will be if both candidates posess the qualities and principles to effectively manage the team and to work together.
    Ian 8/29/2008 11:16:27 AM
    I agree whole heartedly with Gavin. The correct man for the correct job. I couldn't care who it is as long as the person who gets the job (if they create the position)is qualified to do it correctly and gets the support, financing and backing of the top guys too. If it is going to benifit SA Rugby as a whole then great. If it is just another position to pay someone who does nothing and can be used as a scape-goat then it is completely counter productive but done correctly can be great!!!!
    angus 8/29/2008 11:19:54 AM
    The difference between the boks and the All Blacks is that players out of form was dropped. Even Australia dropped Smith ahead of Saturdays game in order to give the spirit a boost. The Springboks select players on status and previous records, like Fourie, Habana, Butch and Steyn. No matter how their current form is, they are sure to play, why, because a year ago the were regarded as great. Guess what, I will not bring my best game to the field if I am secured a place. The final will be great.
    Janco 8/29/2008 11:24:48 AM
    Lets not forget what an important part of the team Jake White was, he was the brains behind the gameplan, the motivator of these guys and the "glue" that kept our team together and guiding them to World Cup glory and since he's left we've lost all of those qualities! This brings me to my question: Why cahnge a winning formula?? No wonder the guys looks like a pack of wild animals running around, not motivated to perform and not giving a 100%... Don't know what we're going to do!!
    Shaun 8/29/2008 11:24:50 AM
    Here you go again. instead of you looking at team performances you go talking bad of Jake because of your personal vendetta on him. Pieter DV has not managed to lead the guys efficiently thus far because his game plan just has not worked effectively with these guys. be honest and objective for once.
    Henri Fortuin 8/29/2008 11:26:09 AM
    We need a Director - but why Jake? The best person is Heynecke Meyer, then Alan Zondagh. Jake's boys won the RWC tournament with the help of Eddie Jones, and not facing the All Blacks and Wallabies. I'm not convinced that he should be the Director. It's very much a patronising "let's save the darkie from his folly" ploy from him to get into the limelight.
    Wooz 8/29/2008 11:31:16 AM
    Appointing Jake as director would be a huge mistake. It will create resentment from Peter to have the former coach looking over his shoulder. Also, Jake wrote in his book of how administrators kept butting in while he was coach, now he wants to do the same? I am certain that if Jake had stayed on after the WC, the Boks would also have stuggled under the ELV's.
    robin 8/29/2008 11:34:38 AM
    Why should we bring back someone who made his decisions based on what the "3rd force" broerdebond instructed him to do. We don't need people like that even if they won the world cup by managing to avoid the best teams in the world. Schalke Burger Snr, Anton Rupert, Jake White all part of the same circle.
    all black supporter 8/29/2008 11:34:55 AM
    Why must all the blame for losing always be put squarely on the coach? Surely a player of international level and of the experience of Matfield, Burger, etc. does not need coacing on the field(?). I am a supporter of Pieter de Villiers (not necessarily the idiotic quotes) and his objectives for the boks; in saying that I am also the biggest all black supporter in SA. It is just nonsense to blame one person and question his abilities for 15 men's inadequacies on the playing field. DIV is not Burger at the ruck trying to bash everyone he sees, DIV is not Percy Montgomery whom cant run 100 metres in under 25 seconds, DIV is not Butch James whom cant kick a ball 35 metres and he is most certainly not Matfield whom cant play for more than 10 minutes non-stop rugby. So what does the white Afrikaner bok supporter have against DIV? It is funny that all of a sudden the coach is being labled as unqualified. Interestingly, De Villiers have in fact more of a coaching pedigree than White when he first started coaching the Boks, yet the boere never questioned that. De Villiers coached the Valke for a season or so and in that time he actually got something going there but was kicked out because of his colour, dito for Chester Williams. Jake White on the other hand, never even coached on Currie cup level, yet got the top job. De Villiers, just as Allister Coetzee (WP Coach) went through all the coaching ranks SA has to offer, except for Super 14 level! So put that in you pipe and smoke that and leave De Villiers to follow his ways, just as White was allowed to...!
    Henri Fortuin 8/29/2008 11:37:24 AM
    Jake White promotes rugby for dummies, where the coach does all the thinking. PdeV wants the players to flinkdink on the field (like Graham Henry). Jake wants to maintain the "traditional" style based on (white exclusive) Springboks, while PdeV wants to transform the style that will accommodate more on-field creativity. Like the All Blacks did with their Pacific Islanders, after playing a "traditional" Springbok style until the early 1990s.
    Stef 8/29/2008 11:37:41 AM
    Our Boks are in the top 5 best in what they do in the world! To be the best in your job in the WORLD is something! Our Boks - or Sports management generally - are not. So what you have is top top people managed by "laerskool onnies". We need management with qualifications! We need coaching qualifications, MBA's and top top people...not someone who can organise a giraffe braai at the local fete.
    all black supporter 8/29/2008 11:43:46 AM
    Why must all the blame for losing always be put squarely on the coach? Surely a player of international level and of the experience of Matfield,Burger, etc. does not need coaching on the field(?). I am a supporter of PDV (not necessarily the idiotic quotes) and his objectives for the boks; in saying that I am also the biggest all black supporter in SA. It is just nonsense to blame one person and question his abilities for 15 men's inadequacies on the playing field.
    Jumbo 8/29/2008 11:46:43 AM
    It was very interesting to see how the Ausies made fun of PDV last night on Wrap from Down Under. They believe he is the best thing ever to happen for the AUSIE SIDE. I realy think the BOKS are in trouble and that is bad news for World Rugby. Is Jake the man - I don't know, but I believe the Boks lost their best coach when Markgraaf made that stupid racial comments that cost him his job and SA rugby one of the best coaches.
    Jumbo 8/29/2008 11:49:19 AM
    It was very interesting to see how the Ausies made fun of PDV last night on Wrap from Down Under. They believe he is the best thing ever to happen for the AUSIE SIDE. I realy think the BOKS are in trouble and that is bad news for World Rugby. Is Jake the man - I don't know, but I believe the Boks lost their best coach when Markgraaf made that stupid racial comments that cost him his job and SA rugby one of the best coaches.
    AL 8/29/2008 11:55:14 AM
    MOst of the comments seen smacks of blatant racism. Wake up and smell the black coffee...
    HBK 8/29/2008 11:59:55 AM
    given that the boks have won the WC and lost a coach they won it with, the current state is no surprise, but appointing a Director would be a disaster hitting SA rugby especially now that the coach is black, white also lost and won the tri-nation it took him over 4yrs to prepare the squad that won the WC. Quick fix solutions lead to disaster. HBK
    TMM 8/29/2008 12:12:13 PM
    It is disappointing to see people calling the coach a baboon, monkey or whatever. This country is still racist and people think rugby is for whites only. You cannot have long term plans and use short term tools to measure success. The guy has 4years to get the team right. He inherited Jake's team and he needs to have his own team. Guys like Butch, Matfield and Monty have achieved all there is to be achieved in Rugby. The hunger is no there anymore. Just stop the racism in comments posted
    Louis J vRvO 8/29/2008 12:12:54 PM
    If South Africa could keep politics out of sport - JW would never have been fired?! Now, the responsible person aka. PDV can't be fired & hence we need more managers to do something that was done with great success in the past but are in TOTAL chaos at the moment! And the bosses at the top says: "The system works!!!"
    TS 8/29/2008 12:17:55 PM
    Is this just another way to get Jake White back into the fold?
    sim from king (zinyoka) 8/29/2008 12:24:28 PM
    my main concern of this position is what powers will the director of rugby have, will he directly have influence in team selection and why all of a sudden we need a director.it goes down to one thing PDV will not have final say in team selection.do away with this post we do not need at all if the coach is not performing necessary steps will have to be taken irrespective of who the coach is..,,,
    Johann 8/29/2008 12:30:18 PM
    Leave things as they are. Too many cooks spoil the broth. And Colin you are spot on with your comments regarding Jake White! The truth regarding Jake White will come out in due course. All PdV needs to do is pick the form players!
    henri Fortuin 8/29/2008 12:55:15 PM
    Player salaries are determined by TV income (by millionnaire club owners in UK and France). If (young, new) viewers are not entertained by the rugby being played, they'll switch channels. SANZAR will then lose out on TV revenue and the players who play Jake White's "monkey see, monkey do"/"run over them like a true Boer" rugby will have to be paid the peanuts from gate income and SASOL sponsorship. With PdeV/Muir/Gold, our players have a better chance of securing their futures financially.
    SJB 8/29/2008 1:01:27 PM
    to win the wc in my opion i think that aussie guy played a huge role in getting the back line sorted out. For me he was the one that did all the behind the scenes work and Jake took all the credit for it. Jake White did nothing for SA rugby, secondly I would have to agree with the all black supporter's comments. enough said!!!
    D 8/29/2008 1:12:29 PM
    Why do we always have play the race card again...

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